The Migrant Ministry is a volunteer-driven effort, made up of several local parishes and others to support asylum seekers in Oak Park and in the Chicago area.
Since its founding in June 2023, the ministry has provided essentials like food, clothing, and toiletries, along with access to social services, ESL classes, and immigration support. Operating out of the St. Edmund Center on Oak Park Avenue, the Migrant Ministry has also helped resettle migrant families, guiding them as they adjust to life in the United States.
The Migrant Ministry is led by Celine Woznica and Margie Rudnik who oversee the operations and volunteer leaders who oversee its operations and support services for migrants. Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors, actively supports the Migrant Ministry.
“It’s been a beautiful ministry. But what’s happening now across the country is affecting us. People are no longer arriving as they once did. Migrants are afraid, and immigration overall has slowed. Our ministry is now in a period of transition. While we still offer English classes and maintain the clothing closet for those who need shoes or children’s clothing, our volunteers are adjusting to this new reality,” Morello said.
The Migrant Ministry focuses on three key areas: providing essentials through free distribution of coats, clothing, and winter gear; offering immigrant support such as ESL classes; and accompanying families through a mentorship program that pairs volunteers with migrant families for guidance and support.
“The level of support we get is beyond belief; people are dropping off donations simply because they want to help,” Woznica said.
Jack Crowe serves on the board of directors for Iskali in Maywood and has been an active volunteer with the ministry. Iskali, founded in 2010 by Vicente Del Real, seeks to create a space for young people to encounter God and celebrate their cultural heritage.
“I think the Migrant Ministry, especially in the early days, helped build a lot of trust. When new arrivals were living in the Austin Police District, Oak Park residents and others distributed around 6,000 winter coats in the middle of January. That immediate response to need really helped create a sense of trust and solidarity,” Crowe said. Crowe is also an occasional opinion columnist for Wednesday Journal.
A migrant with a volunteer points to the her home country of Cuba on a map at the Saint Edmund Migrant Center on February 1, 2024. I (Todd Bannon ) 
A migrant picks out sweaters at the Saint Edmund Migrant Center last year. (Todd Bannor) 
Migrants eat breakfast at the Saint Edmund Migrant Center on Thursday February 1, 2024 | Todd Bannor
Morello said the effort began about two and a half years ago when Texas started sending busloads of migrants to Chicago and the community responded by providing blankets, tents, food and showers.
“We see that many migrants are afraid to come out. That’s the situation now. At one point, we served 300 to 500 or more migrants every Tuesday and Thursday when the center was open. But now, because of space limitations and fewer people arriving, things have changed,”
The Migrant Ministry is preparing to move to a new location, though a lease agreement has not yet been finalized.
“The stories that the immigrants share about their lives are interesting. It’s not only about giving donations, but also about having someone walk with a family and accompany them when needed. We have volunteers assigned to individual families, with two to three mentors per family,” Rudnik said.
One of the most striking aspects of the ministry for Morello has been its ability to bring the community together. He often tells volunteers that while migrants have traveled thousands of miles to reach Chicago, the community is also crossing borders — of denomination and faith, to support one another. In turn, the migrants have inspired a renewed sense of community and compassion among those who help them.
“Except for the Native Americans, we are all immigrants. We are constantly pivoting and changing with the needs of immigrants in our community,” Woznica said.